Approa

ch
Biological

Assumptions

Debates

Human behaviour is
strongly determined by our
genes
The CNS, especially the
brain, plays an essential
role in thought and
behaviour.
Chemical processes in the
brain are responsible for
many different aspects of
psychological functioning.
Humans and other animals
have evolved biologically
through Darwinian
evolution.
Evolution has taken place
over millions of yearsflight or fight is really
important when
understanding human
reactions and is common
across all species

What are

Nature
Nomotheti
c

Strengths

Appreciation of the role

of physiology and genes
in behaviour, cognition
(similarities
and mood.
between
Shows that human
people to
behaviour may be
attempt to
constrained by its
establish
evolutionary past.
general

Research provides
laws of
insights into
behaviour
biochemical and
that can be
genetic influences on
applied to
all people).
mental disorders and
Reductioni
emotional disorders.
Valuable evidence has
st
Scientific
accumulated about the
Determini
biological basis of
behaviour, resulted in
stic
practical applicationseg. Drugs for mental
disorders.
Scientific, subject
matter is materialist
and its methods are
the assumptions
of each approach?
objective.

What are the similarities?

How are they different?
What are the key strengths and weaknesses?
Can the weakness of one approach lead to the strength of
Try to find links!

Weaknesses

The physiological
system is complex and
the biological approach
is not sufficiently
advanced to offer
complete explanations
of behaviour.
Endless environmental
influences so it is
difficult to predict
behaviour and explain it
in purely biological
term. E.g. genetic links
with schizophrenia,
without taking into
account other factors such
as social, cultural and
family influences.

Biological causes of
behaviour result in the
problem of determinism,
absolving people from
responsibility in their
behaviour.
The approach seems to
suggest that mind and
brain are the same but
has not explained how
these interact e.g.
stress (Cognitive) makes
us tired and lethargic
(physical), and alcohol
another?
(physical) can give us a
false sense of
confidence (physical).
The mind/consciousness
are difficult to study
objectively.

Biological Key Studies

McGuffin

Gottesman (1991).
Aim:

Aim:

Maguire
Sperry
Lange
Busset
(1989)
(1929)
(1968)
al (2000)
Aim:
Procedure:

Procedure:

Procedure:

Findings:

Findings:

Findings:

Conclusions:

Conclusions:

Conclusions:

Application:

Schizophrenia and Mood Disorders

Application:

Unipolar Depression and Mood Disorders

Application:

Function

Gender Roles and Localisation of Bra

Criminality
Lateralisation
Memory

Behaviourist Key Studies

Pavlov
Aim:

Watson and Raynor

Skinner
Aim:

Aim:

Procedure:

Procedure:
Procedure:

Findings:

Findings:
Findings:

Conclusions:

Conclusions:
Conclusions:

Application:

Classical Conditioning

Application: Classical Conditioning

Application: Operant Conditioning

& Phobias

Social Learning Theory Key Study

Bandura et al (1963)
Aim:

Procedure:

Findings:

Conclusions:

Application:

Observational Learning

Cognitive Key Studies

You need to find a study that supports the application
of the law

You need to find a study that supports the application

of Depression

Aim:

Aim:

Procedure:

Procedure:

Findings:

Findings:

Conclusions:

Conclusions:

Application: Cognition and Law

Application: Depression

You need to find a study that supports the application

of gender development
Aim:

Procedure:

Findings:

Conclusions:

Application: Gender Development

Biological Approach Behaviourist

Approach
Applicati
on One

Applicati
on Two

Applicati
on Three

Social Learning
Theory

Cognitive
Approach